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EULO GY 



ON THE 



PRIVATE AND PUBLIC CHARACTER 



AND 



PUBLIC SERVICES 



OF THE LATE 

PRESIDENT HARRIS ON. 



BY BEN J AMI X PARSONS, ESQ. 

',<<< 

\ i \*y ... 

DELIVERED AT PENSACOLA, 

APRIL 17th, 1641, 



Pensacola, April 17th, 1841. 

Benj. Parsons, Esq. : 

Dear Sir. — As a committee in behalf of the citizens of Pensacola, 
we had the honor of requesting you to deliver an Eulogy on the private 
and public character, and public services of the late illustrious President 
Harrison — we now beg the favor of a copy thereof for the press. 
We are very respectfully your ob't. servants, 

J. GARNIER, 
HANSON KELLY, 
JOHN INNERARITY. 



Pensacola, April 20th, 1841. 
To Messrs. Garnier, Kellt and Inneraritt: 

Gentlemen. — I feel myself honored, by your requesting me to 
deliver an Eulogy on the character, &c. of the late illustrious President 
Harrison ; and by your request of a copy thereof for the press. I am 
willing it should be published, it being known, that but two days' time 
were allowed for preparation ; so that it must be expected to be imperfect, 
and not highly valuable, though it was well, and respectfully intended. 
With high respect, your ob't. servant, 

BENJ. PARSONS. 



E UL O G Y. 



If, fellow citizens, on this solemn, mournful occasion, 
I could appear before you unmoved, unaffected, tearless, 
and indifferent, I must be either more or less and worse 
than man. I must have the firmness and greatness of a 
superior spirit, or I must be debased to an evil, infernal, one. 

Those natures which God has kindly given us, as well as 
his express commands, require of us joy and thankfulness, 
for special mercies and benefits received, either as individu- 
als, or as a nation ; and on the deprivation thereof, it would 
be unnatural— it would be impious, not to sorrow, grieve, 
and lay it suitably to heart. If there can be a time for sor- 
row and grief, for national anguish ! — it is now ; for the 
good, the virtuous, the brave, the patriotic, the illustrious 
Harrison, the head of our nation, is now no more on earth ? 
He has exchanged a scene of controversy, labor, fatigue, 
anxiety and suffering, for one of concord, peace, joy and 
love ! He is now out of the reach of abuse and reproach — 
the tongue of slander cannot now wound his sensibilities, 
for he is protected in the bosom of his God ! He is com- 
forted, he is felicitated by the soul-reviving annunciation of 
his Saviour and Judge — " Well done good and faithful ser- 
vant — enter thou into the joys of thy Lord !" That arm, 
which was once strong in his country's cause, is now life- 
less ! That hand, which, a few months since I had the 
honor and happiness to press, and to receive its warm and 
friendly pressure — that hand, which was always open to the 
needy, the distressed, the widow and fatherless, is now cold 
in death ! Those eyes, which once sparkled with delight 
at the prospect and diffusion of individual and national pros- 
perity and happiness, are now, we trust, " sleeping in Jesus!" 
That tongue, which was once eloquent in support of the 



4 



liberties, the rights and welfare of the whole people, is now 
silent in the tomb ! And that soul, that was, here, warmed 
with virtue and benevolence, and which swelled with indig- 
nation, at iniquity, fraud and oppression, is now transport- 
ed to the immediate presence and service of that God, whom 
he devoutly worshipped while on earth ! Never was there 
a time before, when our country was visited with such an 
afflictive, heavy stroke of Providence. Even the death of 
our beloved Washington, was not so distressing and mo- 
mentous to the nation ; because Washington was not then 
in any office, or service of the government — he had ceased 
from his public labors — he had finished his eminent services 
for his country — he was only an admired, adored benefactor, 
a private, beloved citizen ; but President Harrison, at the 
time of his death, was at the head of the government — at the 
commencement of his highest expected usefulness to his 
country — the fond hopes, and the most ardent expectations 
of the nation were centred upon him, as the political sun, 
around which the happiness, prosperity, and glory of our 
country were expected to revolve, uninterruptedly, for four 
happy years ! And here let me say, with confidence, that 
there never lived, in the United States, a man more like 
Washington, than William Henry Harrison was ; or who 
possessed equal to him, generally, the esteem, confidence 
and love of the whole people. And for what are we now to 
mourn ? with whom are we to grieve and sympathize ? We 
are not to grieve for the illustrious deceased — for, undoubt- 
edly, our loss — our country's inexpressible deprivation, is> 
to him, infinite, glorious gain ! He has exchanged the 
fatiguing, arduous, anxious scenes and duties of this life, for 
never ending, untiring employments and joys of the blessed ! 
But we should mourn for our personal and national sins, 
and violations of private and public duties — that we have 
not " ceased to do evil" — that we have not learned " to do 
well." And we should be monsters, if, on this trying, af- 



5 



Aiding occasion, we could remain cold and insensible — if 
we do not deeply sympathize with the bereaved widow and 
family of the deceased — if we do not feel for our country, in 
anguish! — " O ! Thou, who art the Father of the fatherless, 
the widow's God and guide — who rulest in the kingdoms 
of nations, and directests the counsels thereof!" — in the 
midst of Thy severe judgements, " O ! remember mercy !" 
Let thine almighty, everlasting arm of mercy support, comfort 
and protect this distressed family ! And, O ! save, forgive, 
and bless our country, that country which Thou hast now 
visited with a great calamity, but which Thou hast long pre- 
served, and highly favored beyond any other nation on earth. 
May all thy people be suitably impressed — -be humbled for 
their misdeeds, and may they become that just, pure, holy, 
and " righteous people whose God is the Lord." 

Fellow citizens, you have often seen individuals and 
families in sorrow, in tears for the loss of a beloved friend 
or relative — but what is this, when compared with the 
affliction, the tears of a whole nation, on account of the 
removal of one of its best, most useful and noble friends 1 
'Tis like a drop compared with the ocean. 

You have done me the honor to request me to deliver " an 
appropriate Eulogy, on the private and public character, 
and public services of our late illustrious President" — 
Delightful task! but O! how inadequate I feel th t I am, 
to do justice to the big, the momentous theme ! 

When you are deprived of a beloved, valuable friend, and 
faithful servant, you are delighted to hear his name respectr 
fully mentioned, his meritorious deeds fully recited, and his 
praises loudly sounded. And cannot I give you some real 
joy and satisfaction, by rehearsing some of the virtues, 
merits and services of your country's true, best friend, and 
most faithful servant and benefactor ? 

On some accounts, private character is of the highest con- 
sideration, because it is the foundation of all that is good> 



6 



great, or praiseworthy, both in private and public stations. 
If a man is not good and pure in his closet, in his family, 
and in small associations, he will never be worth much in 
the field, or in the cabinet — if he does not, privately, love 
his God and his neighbor, however much he may boast of 
his justice and patriotism — his countrymen should place no 
confidence in him — he will be " but as sounding brass, or a 
tinkling symbol." A statesman without virtue and integrity, 
is like a temple without a firm foundation — which must fall, 
and " great will be the fall thereof;" but when he is foun- 
ded on the rock of virtue, worth and merit, he will support 
himself against all the assaults of faction and disorganization. 
I therefore deem it not inappropriate to notice briefly, the 
private character of our deceased President. 

Gen. Harrison was the son of a pure, ardent, noble patriot, 
Benjamin Harrison, one of the signers of the Declaration of 
Independence, an intimate friend and associate of Washing- 
ton, a firm supporter of our cause, during the whole of our 
revolutionary contest. The father early instilled into the 
mind of his son, principles of virtue, and love of country — 
gave him a useful and finished education ; and planted in 
him those seeds, which produced extraordinary usefulness 
to his fellow men, and honor to his country. Throughout 
his whole life he manifested a disposition, a soul devoted to 
communicate and diffuse good to all, individually, and to his 
country prosperity and lasting happiness. An eminent 
statesman who had been intimately acquainted with him for 
forty years, has said of him — "In the finer qualities of the 
heart, no man could justly claim a preference. Though 
brave as Napoleon, he had much of the milk of human kind- 
ness ; benevolence, and a desire to better the condition of the 
whole human family, predominated in his soul, and were 
constantly forcing themselves into action. His house was 
open to all, whether high or low, rich or poor — and it is not 
exaggeration to say, that had he had but one dollar, he would 



7 



not — he could not refuse to divide it with a friend in distress." 
But what is infinitely above all other considerations, he 
had the highest veneration for the Supreme Being — a deep 
sense of his almighty power, universal government, infinite 
wisdom, goodness, justice and mercy ; and of man's entire 
dependance on Him, and indispensable obligations to praise 
and worship Him evermore ! He also had a firm persuasion 
of the truth of divine revelation ; and of the infinite impor- 
tance of the truths and doctrines of the gospel of our Lord 
and Saviour Jesus Christ — these were the finishing, glowing 
perfections of the portrait of the private character of the 
illustrious Harrison ! I might take hours, yes days, in reci- 
ting his good and noble deeds, but time will not now permit. 
You, however, know much of them — and I hope will learn 
them all, and be thankful therefor. 

But his public character and services demand of us, as a 
whole people, a more special notice. 

At the early age of eighteen, he was appointed by " his 
own friend and his father's friend," to an important, danger- 
ous post, in a bloody contention against a savage foe, that 
was invading our rights, and cruelly murdering our people ; 
not sparing even women and children. No personal motives 
could have induced him to enter into such a service — to re- 
linquish comfort, ease, luxury, peace, and pleasant, refined 
society, for the toils and fatigues of the camp ; the sufferings 
of the wilderness ; the horrors of savage warfare ; and the 
perils of Indian rifles, tomahawks and scalping knives. — 
Nothing but the love of his country, and an ardent desire to 
secure the rights, and protect the lives of his fellow men, 
could have prompted him, voluntarily, to engage in such a 
warfare. But, when he had engaged, with such noble and 
patriotic motives, how did he conduct himself? Let the 
approbation of Generals St. Clair, Wayne and others — let 
the whole history of that bloody war, answer the question. 
At that time there was not a doubt, but that he did his duty 
faithfully, bravely and gloriously for his country ! 



8 



And when peace was obtained, he resigned his commission, 
and, like Washington, retired to private life. He had no 
desire to fight, but for the purpose of obtaining peace, and 
the security of the lives and property of the citizens. But 
when his country again needed his services in the field, he 
was ready to enlist, and peril his life — his all, in her cause. 
I have not now time to tell you of all his useful and heroic 
deeds ; but history will inform you, how bravety, nobly and 
faithfully he performed all his duty, on every occasion — 
how his services were approved and applauded, by the go- 
vernment, and by all the people — and how, in the civil de- 
partment, he managed the public affairs with great judgment 
and wisdom, especially as governor of the North-western 
Territory, and as superintendant, and commissioner of Indian 
affairs. He had great and arduous duties to perform, both 
civil and military — vast sums of money passed through his 
hands, yet in him there never was any failure, or default — 
he never received a dollar of money that he did not faithfully 
and exactly account for, though he was never required to give 
any bond or security. His integrity, his honesty, his honor, 
were all the security the government needed, or required. — 
(Would to God that such had always been the case, with all 
officers of the Government !) 

Once, and only once, was his integrity called in question. 
One M'Intosh, for some unfounded cause of offence, accused 
Governor Harrison of having defrauded the Indians, in the 
treaty of Fort Wayne ; and the Governor conceived it was 
due to his own fame, and the interest of the General Govern- 
ment, that the charge should be fully investigated, in a Court 
of Justice, while the facts were fresh in the minds of the 
community. He therefore instituted an action of slander, 
in the Supreme Court of the Territory. And on full and 
fair trial, the evidence was so conclusive in favor of Govern- 
or Harrison, that the counsel for M'Intosh abandoned the 
attempt to justify, and plead only in mitigation of damages. 



9 



The Jury however returned a verdict for four thousand 
dollars damages, against M'Intosh ; whose property was 
levied on to satisfy the judgment, and being bought in by 
the Governor's agent, one-third of it was distributed by him, 
among the orphan children of some of his fellow-citizens, 
who had died in battle ; and the residue was restored to 
M'Intosh himself. (This property, I was informed when in 
Ohio, is now worth more than a hundred thousand dollars !) 
Such magnanimity, disinterestedness, and generosity, are 
above all praise ! And many other such like instances of 
noble-mindedness in him, might be recited. 

Gen. Harrison's civil services were of immense benefit 
to his country. He alone negotiated thirteen treaties with 
the Indians ; and procured the relinquishment of the Indian 
title to more than sixty millions acres of valuable lands, 
which now are worth many hundred millions of dollars ! 
For all which services he charged and received no commis- 
sion, no fees, no reward, but the satisfaction of doing his 
duty faithfully, and beneficially for his country. He also 
procured the enactment of most important laws, respecting 
the sale of lands ; so that the poor, and those of small pro- 
perty were greatly benefited and accommodated ; the coun- 
try rapidly settled, and the Government enriched by the 
sales. — But while he gave riches to his country, he kept 
and secured none to himself, by speculation on the public. 
He became rich, only in honesty, and in a fair fame, which 
is rather to be desired than gold. He may be said to have 
been the father of the North-western states, and the benefi- 
cial friend of all. He possessed the love and confidence of 
all those who knew him. He met the approbation of the 
first six Presidents of the United States, and of all the good 
and faithful friends of the country. And, no doubt, the 
righteous Judge of all the earth will bestow on him glorious, 
everlasting approbation and reward ! 

While in either house of Congress, he was a most useful 



and valuable member ; ever advocating measures for the 
good and prosperity of the whole people. And when, for a 
short time, he was Minister Plenipotentiary to the Republic 
of Columbia, he gained lasting honor to himself, and his 
country. His interesting letter to Bolivar is replete with 
the most noble and just sentiments of republican liberty, 
and pure patriotism. — It would do honor to any minister — 
and any country would be honored by having such a minis- 
ter. 

The principles and opinions of Gen. Harrison, as a states- 
man and politician, if well understood, and accurately known, 
must be approved, by all candid, true friends of a free, repre- 
sentative, republican government. — Indeed the political prin- 
ciples he has advanced in his public communications, in his 
inaugural address, especially, seem to be almost universally 
well received — they are condemned by none, unless by a 
few whose condemnation is praise. He began to be, and 
promised to continue, the President of the United States, and 
not the leader of a party. 

But he was not spared to practice what he had preached — 
to " carry out the true principles of the Government," which 
he had long studied to understand. — As the sun at dawn of 
day, after a dark and stormy night, rises with a glorious 
splendor to enlighten and vivify the earth ; so Harrison, our 
political sun, on the 4th of March last, after a long and 
gloomy night of political darkness, apppeared in the car of 
state, with mild and glowing lustre, and poured forth a vol- 
ume of political light and wisdom, to animate and cheer the 
desponding minds of his countrymen — to dispel their doubts 
and fears — and to raise their hopes of future prosperity and 
happiness. But before we had time to see and realize his 
incipient light and wisdom, the All-wise, holy Disposer 
of all events, saw fit to cause out just risen, political sun to 
set — never more (to us,) to rise again ! But though our 
cause for national grief is overwhelming ; yet we should not 



11 



mourn as if all was lost ; for the benevolent Governor of the 
universe, when He utters the thunder of his judgments, 
usually, at the same time, displays the brightness, the light, 
ning of his mercy! When He took Elijah up to himself, 
he left Elisha, with the mantle, and a double portion of the 
spirit of Elijah, to defend his cause, and to promulgate his 
laws. So, though he has seen fit to take Harrison, our po- 
litical Elijah from us, has he not kindly left us Tyler, our 
Elisha, with the mantle, and a double portion of the spirit, 
wisdom and patriotism of his predecessor, to manage the 
affairs of Government, and to execute the laws ? And 
have we any reason to doubt, that all will be for our good ? 
" Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" It there- 
fore becomes us to submit with Christian resignation, and 
to seek for that righteousness, which " exalteth a nation." 
Since it was the will of the Almighty, that Tyler should take 
the place of Harrison, (as Elisha did of Elijah,) " who shall 
gainsay it." Moreover, as we know that he is excellently 
well qualified for the office, and as it is the Lord's doings, 
we have abundant cause for thankfulness, in the midst of 
our sorrow. And it would be impious to suppose, that the 
Government will not be as well and faithfully administered, 
as it would be if Gen. Harrison had lived four years longer ; 
and we may well hope and expect, that that righteous Being, 
who has caused the change, will still prosper and bless us, 
if we are but righteous, and do the things that please him — 
that our rights and liberties will be preserved and secured 
by the new administration — that all the reasonable wants of 
the people will be supplied, and their hopes and expectations 
realized — that the widow's vessels of oil will be multiplied 
and filled, so that she shall have " enough to sell to pay her 
debts, and to live herself and her children of the rest" — 
that our whole government will be blest with wisdom, and 
that plenteousness will abound in our land, so that we may- 
have "enough to sell to pay our debts, and to live ourselves 



12 



and our children of the rest." Let us not, then, murmur at 
the holy dispensations of Providence, though they may ap- 
pear to us, not joyous but grievous — they may " work to- 
gether for good" to our country — they may soften and 
sweeten the hard and bitter feelings of party politicians — 
they may promote harmony and love of country. 

I feel persuaded, that, as a personal and political friend- 
ship existed between the Vice President and the late Presi- 
dent, the former will embrace the views, and adopt the 
measures, intended bv the latter — that the now acting Pre- 
sident will, by his wisdom and prudence, soon possess the 
love and confidence of the whole people, as fully as ever 
his predecessor did — that the last words of his, and our 
country's illustrious, dying friend, will suitably impress 
him, (as they should all of us,) that he will consider them 
as especially addressed to himself — " Sir, I wish you to 
understand the true principles~of the Government. I wish 
them carried out. I ask nothing more !" These words 
seem to me, like a voice from Heaven, addressed to every 
citizen of the United States. They should be imprinted on 
every American heart, and handed down to the latest pos- 
terity. — " Tell ye your children of them — let your children 
tell their children, and their children another generation !" 

But, fellow-citizens, before we bid a last adieu to our 
illustrious, deceased friend, we should consider, that in the 
depth of our sorrow, we have reason for joy and thankfulness ; 
that though his death is a great national calamity, yet his 
life has been a vast blessing to his country, for he lived for 
his country — and died, while in his country's service ! I 
have not told you a hundredth part of his worth and services— 
and it is unnecessary that I should; for his praise is eloquent 
on every tongue — his virtues and patriotism are deeply im- 
pressed in every heart. In a word, it is fully known, that 
his character, in every respect, was pure and noble — that 
his services for his country were unspeakably great — and 
:<\\ 44 his ways so pleased the Lord, that even his enemies 
are at peace with him !" 



